Portable sterilizer



Feb. 17, 1942. p s K I 2,273,449

PORTABLE STERILIZER v Filed June 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W I $9# a. 1

INVENTOR 6. PA ASH/CE'E BY 1mm ATTORNEY Feb. 17, 1942. H, E. PLISHKER I PORTABLE STERILIZER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 19, 1940 m TM E/ L KER ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 17, 1942 reta n I rorrrzmm: srnnimzna of Pennsylvania Application 111E319, 1940, serial No. 341,230

' 3 Claims. (Cl. 250-88)" My invention relates-to a portable sterilizer, and especially to one utilizing a Sterilamp.

An object of the invention is to produce a means by which an unskilled worker, such as a cleaning man or woman, in hotels, restaurants and other public Places, can utilize sterilizing apparatus employing ultra-violet tubes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable sterilizer in which the height of the sterilizing apparatus can be easily adjusted.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view illustrating a portable sterilizer constructed according to the invention and adjusted for sterilizing the floor.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the portable sterilizer of Figure I adjusted for sterilizing a toilet seat.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the sterilizing portion of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side-elevation of a modification of the adjusting mechanism of the portable sterilizer illustrated in the other figures.

Figure 5 is a view mainly in perspective of my invention adapted for sterilizing bath tubs and similar articles.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the cabinet of Figure 5 illustrating a preferred adjusting means.

Ultra-violet discharge lamps, such as described in the copending application of Robert F. James, Serial No. 734,620, filed July 11, 1934, have proven their effectiveness in sterilizing common sources of infection in public places. These installations in these public places have heretofore been of a fixed type assembled and operated by experts in thisparticular line. It is an object of my invention to construct a portable sterilizer utilizing the ultra-violet discharge devices and one that can be used by the ordinary cleaning man or woman. Common places in which such a device has special utilization are for sterilizing floors, particularly in bathrooms, bath tubs and toilet seats, especially in hotels, theatres and restaurants catering to large numbers of the public.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my portable sterilizer. This portable sterilizer preferably comprises a cabinet l9 mounted upon wheels 1 i. The cabinet contains the necessary transformers, switches, relays, etc. in the casing I2 in this cabinet. An extension cord I3 is connected to the casing for connection into suitable wall plugs l4.

On one side of the cabinet Iattach preferably two metal strips [5 that are spaced slightly from the wall of the portable cabinet. These, stripsv have a series of parallel holes It therein. The ultra-violet lamps ll are insertedin a, tray l8 and this tray has, one of its edges I9 with-a pluralityof hooks 29 extending therefrom to be inserted inthe holes l6 inthe strip I?) to support the tray in inverted position facing downward. The. tray may be of such composition or have its main panel coated on its underside .25

witha material which will reflect the ultra-.

violet radiation downward and protect the eyes of anyone operating the machine. The rim 22 of the tray likewise prevents the escape of ultraviolet radiation in an upward direction. The

- main panel can be of aluminum with an undercoating of aluminum oxide to reflect the ultraviolet radiations. Any number of lamps desired may be inserted in the tray.,

In my embodiment in Figure l, I have disposed four lamps ll of the elongated variety fastened to metal end contacts ll, inserted in sockets 23 in the tray; These lamps are connected by a flexible connection 25 extending through a hole 25 in the cabinet to the casing it containing the transformers necessary for this type of installation. The casing l2 may, of course, contain the switch it to turn on the lamps when desired.

In Figure l, the inverted tray has been adjusted in position on the strips it so that the tray just clears the floor. In Figure 2 the tray has been elevated to higher holes in the strip [5 so that the tray is just about the height of a toilet seat. It is apparent that the device is very portable and can very easily travel around a large area which would need sterilization.

The hooks 2E2 could be replaced by a bracket or other supporting means, to extend the tray out further.

In Figure 4, I have modified my invention by disclosing the inverted tray 58 having an extension 3t into the front portion of the casing and supported by a plurality of arms 3| and 32 connected to shafts 33 and 34. These shafts have sprockets 35 and 36, secured thereto, and these sprockets are revolved by a worm wheel 31 engaging a worm gear 31' with an actuating handle 33 attached thereto. The worm wheel 37 is on the same shaft 34, as the sprocket 36,

and this wheel has a chain 39 to the sprocket 35.

The arms 3! and 32 may elevate the inverted tray l8 to this upper position illustrated in full lines in Figure 4, or it may be lowered to the frat mics Figure 6, has the free end 42 of the U-shaped' arm sliding between rollers 43. On the arm is a rack 44 movable by the pinion 45-, which-is keyedto the worm wheel 46, revolved by the worm 41'. The shaft 48 of the worm is revolved by the Wheel 49 on top of the shaft extending through the cabinet [0. While other adjustments may be used, this preferred arrangement does not require looking or counterweights.

I have, accordingly, illustrated a portable sterilizer utilizing ultra-violet sterilizing lamps and: yet' one which may be readily transported andloperated by unskilled labor.

While I have disclosed certain preferred embodiments of my invention, I do not desire to be limited thereto, as various other modifications of the" same may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Asterilizer'co'mprising as bank of sterilizing lamps; a supporting casing for said bank of lamps limiting the direction of the radiating energy therefrom, a portable cabinet, electric apparatus for said bank of sterilizing lamps in said cabinet, means for adjustably supporting the supporting casing of said bank of lamps from said cabinet with the casing in constant parallelism in all positions and limited to positions within the range of the height of the cabinet and too close to the floor for a worker to be wholly thereunder.

2. A sterilizer comprising a cabinet, wheels on said cabinet, an inverted tray the rays from which are confined to areas substantially directly below, sterilizing lamps in said tray, means for supporting said inverted tray from the cabinet projecting horizontally at one side thereof in parallelism thereto and to the floor, and electrical apparatus for said sterilizing lamps in said cabinet.

3. A sterilizer comprising a cabinet, wheels on said cabinet, an inverted tray the rays from which are confined to areas substantially directly below, sterilizing lamps in said tray, means for supporting said inverted tray from the cabinet projecting horizontally at one side thereof in parallelism thereto: and to thefloor, and electrical apparatus for said sterilizing lamps in said cabinet, said supporting means being adjustable for supporting said lamps from justabove the floor to a height above the height of a toilet seat and thereby prevent a: worker from being- Wholly below said tray and in the direct raysof said lamps.

HERBERT EDWARD PLISI-IKER. 

